Alert archive / North Carolina / Flash Flood Watches in 2021

Flash Flood Watch 3, NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC

March 30, 20217 counties in North Carolina; Habersham County, Rabun County, Georgia

NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC issued this flash flood watch at Mar 30, 2021, 3:19 PM EDT for 7 counties in North Carolina; Habersham County, Rabun County, Georgia. It took effect at Mar 31, 2021, 8:00 AM EDT. It was in force for 7 hr.

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
Mar 30, 2021, 3:19 PM EDT (19:19 UTC)
In effect from
Mar 31, 2021, 8:00 AM EDT
Expired
Mar 31, 2021, 3:12 PM EDT
In force
7 hr
Issued by
NWS Greenville-Spartanburg, SC
Flood severity
None

Counties Habersham County, GA, Rabun County, GA, Graham County, NC, Haywood County, NC, Henderson County, NC, Jackson County, NC, Macon County, NC, Swain County, NC, Transylvania County, NC

The radar

The Greer radar (KGSP), 99 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 19:17 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.

Open the radar archive at this moment

The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.

The nearest sounding before it

Peachtre/Fal Fld, GA (KFFC), launched 12:00Z, 7.3 hours before the alert went out and 235 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Peachtre/Fal Fld, GA at 12:00Z on 2021-03-30Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 0 joules per kilogram.LCL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Peachtre/Fal Fld, GA at 12:00Z on 2021-03-30The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 56 square meters per square second.1939Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.
Mixed-layer CAPE
0 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
No buoyant parcel
Mixed-layer LCL
891 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
9 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
56 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
139 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

365 
WGUS62 KGSP 301919
FFAGSP

URGENT - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Flood Watch
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
319 PM EDT Tue Mar 30 2021

...HEAVY RAINFALL RETURNING TO THE SOUTHERN APPALACHIANS WEDNESDAY
MORNING...

.Strong lift and deep moisture preceding a cold front likely will
combine to produce periods of heavy rainfall over the southern 
Appalachians. Particularly in areas below southwest-facing 
ridges, an elevated risk of flash flooding will exist. The threat
is greatest during the morning and early afternoon, but will not
diminish until the cold front passes Wednesday evening.

GAZ010-017-NCZ051-052-058-059-062>065-SCZ001>003-310300-
/O.NEW.KGSP.FF.A.0003.210331T1200Z-210401T0000Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Rabun-Habersham-Swain-Haywood-Graham-Northern Jackson-Macon-
Southern Jackson-Transylvania-Henderson-Oconee Mountains-
Pickens Mountains-Greenville Mountains-
Including the cities of Clayton, Pine Mountain, Mountain City, 
Cornelia, Baldwin, Demorest, Clarkesville, Hollywood, Alarka, 
Almond, Bryson City, Luada, Wesser, Waynesville, Waterville, 
Canton, Cruso, Cove Creek, Robbinsville, Stecoah, Cullowhee, 
Tuckasegee, Sylva, Franklin, Rainbow Springs, Kyle, Highlands, 
Wolf Mountain, Cashiers, Brevard, Cedar Mountain, Little River, 
Hendersonville, Fletcher, Dana, East Flat Rock, Tuxedo, Etowah, 
Mountain Rest, Walhalla, Westminster, Pumpkintown, Tigerville, 
Gowensville, Cleveland, and Slater-Marietta
319 PM EDT Tue Mar 30 2021

...FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM WEDNESDAY MORNING THROUGH
WEDNESDAY EVENING...

The National Weather Service in Greenville-Spartanburg has issued
a

* Flash Flood Watch for portions of northeast Georgia, western
  North Carolina, and upstate South Carolina, including the
  following counties. In northeast Georgia, Habersham and Rabun.
  In western North Carolina, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Macon,
  Jackson, Swain, and Transylvania. In upstate South Carolina,
  mountainous portions of Greenville, Oconee, and Pickens
  Counties. 

* from Wednesday morning through Wednesday evening

* Strong lift and deep moisture preceding a cold front likely will
  combine to produce periods of heavy rainfall over the southern
  Appalachians and adjacent foothills near the Blue Ridge
  Escarpment. A total of 2 to 3 inches of rain can be expected in
  the most favored areas, south- and southwest-facing ridges.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Flash Flood Watch means that conditions may develop that lead
to flash flooding. Flash flooding is a very dangerous situation.

You should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action
should Flash Flood Warnings be issued.

&&

$$
Wimberley
4 follow-up statements
506 
WGUS62 KGSP 310230
FFAGSP

Flood Watch
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
1030 PM EDT Tue Mar 30 2021

...HEAVY RAINFALL RETURNING TO THE SOUTHERN APPALACHIANS
WEDNESDAY MORNING...

.Strong lift and deep moisture preceding a cold front likely will
combine to produce periods of heavy rainfall over the southern
Appalachians. Particularly in areas below southwest-facing
ridges, an elevated risk of flash flooding will exist. The threat
is greatest during the morning and early afternoon, but will not
diminish until the cold front passes Wednesday evening.

GAZ010-017-NCZ051-052-058-059-062>065-SCZ001>003-311030-
/O.CON.KGSP.FF.A.0003.210331T1200Z-210401T0000Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Rabun-Habersham-Swain-Haywood-Graham-Northern Jackson-Macon-
Southern Jackson-Transylvania-Henderson-Oconee Mountains-
Pickens Mountains-Greenville Mountains-
Including the cities of Clayton, Pine Mountain, Mountain City, 
Cornelia, Baldwin, Demorest, Clarkesville, Hollywood, Alarka, 
Almond, Bryson City, Luada, Wesser, Waynesville, Waterville, 
Canton, Cruso, Cove Creek, Robbinsville, Stecoah, Cullowhee, 
Tuckasegee, Sylva, Franklin, Rainbow Springs, Kyle, Highlands, 
Wolf Mountain, Cashiers, Brevard, Cedar Mountain, Little River, 
Hendersonville, Fletcher, Dana, East Flat Rock, Tuxedo, Etowah, 
Mountain Rest, Walhalla, Westminster, Pumpkintown, Tigerville, 
Gowensville, Cleveland, and Slater-Marietta
1030 PM EDT Tue Mar 30 2021

...FLASH FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 8 AM EDT WEDNESDAY
THROUGH WEDNESDAY EVENING...

The Flash Flood Watch continues for
 
* portions of northeast Georgia, western North Carolina, and
  upstate South Carolina, including the following counties, in 
  northeast Georgia, Habersham and Rabun. In western North 
  Carolina, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Macon, Northern Jackson, 
  Southern Jackson, Swain, and Transylvania. In upstate South 
  Carolina, Greenville Mountains, Oconee Mountains, and Pickens 
  Mountains. 

* from 8 AM EDT Wednesday through Wednesday evening

* Strong lift and deep moisture preceding a cold front likely will
  combine to produce periods of heavy rainfall over the southern
  Appalachians and adjacent foothills near the southern Blue 
  Ridge Escarpment. A total of 2 to 3 inches of rain can be 
  expected in the most favored areas, south and southwest facing 
  ridges. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Flash Flood Watch means that conditions may develop that lead
to flash flooding. Flash flooding is a very dangerous situation.

You should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action
should Flash Flood Warnings be issued.

&&

$$
013 
WGUS62 KGSP 310836
FFAGSP

Flood Watch
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
436 AM EDT Wed Mar 31 2021

.Strong lift and deep moisture preceding a cold front will combine 
to produce periods of heavy rainfall over the southern Appalachians. 
An elevated risk of flash flooding will persist, particularly in 
areas below southwest-facing ridges. The threat is greatest during 
the morning and early afternoon today, but will not dimimish until a 
cold front passes late this afternoon.

GAZ010-017-NCZ051-052-058-059-062>065-SCZ001>003-311645-
/O.CON.KGSP.FF.A.0003.210331T1200Z-210401T0000Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Rabun-Habersham-Swain-Haywood-Graham-Northern Jackson-Macon-Southern
Jackson-Transylvania-Henderson-Oconee Mountains-Pickens Mountains-
Greenville Mountains-
Including the cities of Demorest, Waterville, Pumpkintown, Canton, 
Westminster, Luada, Tuckasegee, Cullowhee, Cruso, Hollywood, East 
Flat Rock, Mountain Rest, Clarkesville, Walhalla, Mountain City, 
Clayton, Sylva, Gowensville, Tigerville, Cashiers, Cove Creek, Cedar 
Mountain, Little River, Rainbow Springs, Highlands, Wesser, Pine 
Mountain, Cleveland, Stecoah, Kyle, Wolf Mountain, Franklin, 
Slater-Marietta, Etowah, Dana, Brevard, Baldwin, Almond, 
Waynesville, Fletcher, Bryson City, Hendersonville, Robbinsville, 
Cornelia, Alarka, and Tuxedo
436 AM EDT Wed Mar 31 2021

...FLASH FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 8 AM EDT THIS MORNING 
THROUGH THIS EVENING...

The Flash Flood Watch continues for

* Portions of northeast Georgia, western North Carolina and upstate 
  South Carolina, including the following areas, in northeast 
  Georgia, Habersham and Rabun. In western North Carolina, Graham, 
  Haywood, Henderson, Macon, Northern Jackson, Southern Jackson, 
  Swain and Transylvania. In upstate South Carolina, Greenville 
  Mountains, Oconee Mountains and Pickens Mountains.

* From 8 AM EDT this morning through this evening.

* Strong lift and deep moisture preceding a cold front will combine 
  to produce periods of heavy rainfall over the southern 
  Appalachians and adjacent foothills near the Blue Ridge Escarpment 
  from extreme northeast Georgia up to Saluda. A total of 2 to 3 
  inches of rain can be expected, particularly along and below south 
  and southwest-facing ridges.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Flash Flood Watch means that conditions may develop that lead to 
flash flooding.  Flash Flooding is a very dangerous situation.

You should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action 
should Flash Flood Warnings be issued.

&&

$$

Moore
380 
WGUS62 KGSP 311619
FFAGSP

Flood Watch
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
1219 PM EDT Wed Mar 31 2021

.There will remain the threat of additional heavy showers until a 
cold front passes through later this afternoon.  This may aggravate 
lingering low-lying flooded areas and high water conditions in 
portions of the mountains.

GAZ010-017-NCZ051-052-058-059-062>065-SCZ001>003-311915-
/O.CON.KGSP.FF.A.0003.000000T0000Z-210401T0000Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Rabun-Habersham-Swain-Haywood-Graham-Northern Jackson-Macon-Southern
Jackson-Transylvania-Henderson-Oconee Mountains-Pickens Mountains-
Greenville Mountains-
Including the cities of Demorest, Waterville, Pumpkintown, Canton, 
Westminster, Luada, Tuckasegee, Cullowhee, Cruso, Hollywood, East 
Flat Rock, Mountain Rest, Clarkesville, Walhalla, Mountain City, 
Clayton, Sylva, Gowensville, Tigerville, Cashiers, Cove Creek, Cedar 
Mountain, Little River, Rainbow Springs, Highlands, Wesser, Pine 
Mountain, Cleveland, Stecoah, Kyle, Wolf Mountain, Franklin, 
Slater-Marietta, Etowah, Dana, Brevard, Baldwin, Almond, 
Waynesville, Fletcher, Bryson City, Hendersonville, Robbinsville, 
Cornelia, Alarka, and Tuxedo
1219 PM EDT Wed Mar 31 2021

...FLASH FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING...

The Flash Flood Watch continues for

* Portions of northeast Georgia, western North Carolina and upstate 
  South Carolina, including the following areas, in northeast 
  Georgia, Habersham and Rabun. In western North Carolina, Graham, 
  Haywood, Henderson, Macon, Northern Jackson, Southern Jackson, 
  Swain and Transylvania. In upstate South Carolina, Greenville 
  Mountains, Oconee Mountains and Pickens Mountains.

* Until 8 PM EDT this evening.

* Anywhere from 1 to 3 inches of rain with isolated higher amounts 
  had fallen in portions of the watch area this morning.  It is 
  within the realm of possibility that an additional round of heavy 
  showers will affect the region this afternoon.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Flash Flood Watch means that conditions may develop that lead to 
flash flooding.  Flash Flooding is a very dangerous situation.

You should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action 
should Flash Flood Warnings be issued.

&&

$$
706 
WGUS62 KGSP 311912
FFAGSP

Flood Watch
National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg SC
312 PM EDT Wed Mar 31 2021

GAZ010-017-NCZ051-052-058-059-062>065-SCZ001>003-312015-
/O.CAN.KGSP.FF.A.0003.000000T0000Z-210401T0000Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Rabun-Habersham-Swain-Haywood-Graham-Northern Jackson-Macon-Southern
Jackson-Transylvania-Henderson-Oconee Mountains-Pickens Mountains-
Greenville Mountains-
Including the cities of Demorest, Waterville, Pumpkintown, Canton, 
Westminster, Luada, Tuckasegee, Cullowhee, Cruso, Hollywood, East 
Flat Rock, Mountain Rest, Clarkesville, Walhalla, Mountain City, 
Clayton, Sylva, Gowensville, Tigerville, Cashiers, Cove Creek, Cedar 
Mountain, Little River, Rainbow Springs, Highlands, Wesser, Pine 
Mountain, Cleveland, Stecoah, Kyle, Wolf Mountain, Franklin, 
Slater-Marietta, Etowah, Dana, Brevard, Baldwin, Almond, 
Waynesville, Fletcher, Bryson City, Hendersonville, Robbinsville, 
Cornelia, Alarka, and Tuxedo
312 PM EDT Wed Mar 31 2021

...FLASH FLOOD WATCH IS CANCELLED...

The Flash Flood Watch for portions of northeast Georgia, western 
North Carolina and upstate South Carolina, including the following 
counties. In northeast Georgia, Habersham and Rabun. In western 
North Carolina, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Macon, Jackson, Swain 
and Transylvania. In upstate South Carolina, Greenville Mountains, 
Oconee Mountains and Pickens Mountains has been cancelled.

The Flood Watch is cancelled. Light additional rainfall is possible 
this evening, but flooding is no longer expected to pose a threat. 
Please continue to heed remaining road closures.

$$

8

Nearby

Flash Flood Watches in North Carolina, 2021Flash Flood Watches in Georgia, 2021Flash Flood Watches in South Carolina, 2021Every flash flood watch in 2021

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.